Berta Lucero (Ulibarri)

Berta Ulibarri Lucero

“To everything there is a season,

                     a time for very purpose under heaven,”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

With great sorrow and deep gratitude, the Lucero, Ventura, Arellano, Davis, Conant, and Nowalk families announce the passing of our kind, brave, caring, and unimaginably generous mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Berta Ulibarri Lucero. Berta passed into the hands of our Lord on January 16, 2024. Born to Max and Cleofas Ulibarri on the 3^rd of January 1935 in Levy, New Mexico, she received her education in Wagon Mound, New Mexico where she lived on the family farm until moving to Colorado in 1945. Berta had two brothers and five sisters. She married Sifredo (Alfred) Lucero on October 22, 1951, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Montrose. She is survived by her nine children, 28 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren.

Berta was a kind and loving soul who served her community and church for over 20 years as a religious class teacher and volunteer. She was active in Stevens Ministry and volunteered at Montrose Memorial Hospital where she was also a Eucharistic minister. She loved children and operated a private daycare business for over 25 years. She was often called grandma by many of the children she provided care for. She enjoyed her flower garden, western movies, and spending time with family. Above all, Berta loved the Lord and was comforted daily by her savior.

Berta loved her family and her community with her whole heart. Berta delighted in her children and their children. Her gentle, loving, and accepting demeanor made her a special light. She truly lived for her family and was grateful for each moment she was able to spend with her family and friends. Berta was known by her family for her incredible home-cooked meals, especially tortillas, beans, and green chile. Many members of her family learned to cook with Berta, and her recipes will continue to remind the family of her presence.

She led by example by having compassion for all living things. She loved the dogs she had over her lifetime and even cared for the birds that would visit her feeders. Berta was ahead of her time as a steward to the Earth and re-used all she could, walked everywhere she went, as well as shared the beauty of nature with her family. Heaven is truly lucky to have such a kind soul among their angels.

She is survived by her sister Mary A. Buckley, Salt Lake City and her children Alfred D. Lucero, Alaska; Bridget (Pablo) Ventura, Utah; Cleo (Ron) Arellano, Denver; Ralph (Susan) Lucero, Montrose; Ray (Melissa) Lucero, Montrose; Gabriel (Vicki) Lucero, Montrose; Carmen (Hozy) Davis, Grand Junction; Laurie (Jason) Conant, Montrose; Cathy (David) Nowalk, Denver; and her 28 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Vigil for Berta Lucero will be Thursday, January 25^th at 7:00 p.m. at Crippin Funeral Home.

Mass will be held on Friday, January 26^th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.